ZIZ News…Jan 19 2012 – On January 3, 2012, in a brief ceremony following the After Action Review of United States Vice President Joseph Biden’s visit to the United States Virgin Islands, two civilians and five military personnel were presented with the Director Elton Lewis Coin of Excellence and Service. The awardees received recognition for exceptional service and support to the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, the Government of the Virgin Islands and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service-Vice Presidential Protective Division.

Among the awardees was VITEMA Intern Ms. Mutryce A. Williams who serves in the capacity as Aide to Director Elton Lewis. Director Lewis who is also Brigadier General Elton Lewis Assistant Adjutant General- Virgin Islands National Guard holds dual role as the Director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, and Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands.

Director Elton Lewis, a former Commissioner of Police for the USVI described Ms. Williams who is pursuing doctoral studies in Public Policy Administration with a double concentration in Terrorism, Mediation and Peace and Homeland Security Policy and Coordination as the consummate professional. He said, “I am aware that the task with which I am charged is a most critical one, as I am charged with protecting citizens, property, and businesses from the threat of terrorism and natural and man-made disasters. The consequences of one misstep could prove potentially disastrous. Success in my field requires prudence or good judgment in selecting those individuals who would assist me in carrying out my duties, and I deem it a necessity to recognize them when they go above and beyond the call of duty to assist me in successfully executing my duties.”

Mutryce Williams

Director Lewis said that Ms. Williams may be considered an anomaly in her field not only because of her age, gender, and ethnicity but also because she does not have a military, law enforcement or emergency management background. He said that based on her superior analytical skills, commitment to assigned tasks, level of professionalism, and adeptness to learning he is confident that she would someday be an authority in her field.

In addition to the Coin of Excellence and Service, Ms. Williams received a certificate and letter of appreciation. The letter of appreciation read, “As Director of VITEMA and Homeland Security Advisor to the Government and People of the United States Virgin Islands, I would like to express my most sincere appreciation for your contribution in assisting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service, Vice Presidential Protective Division, in successfully executing its duties here on St. Croix United States Virgin Islands. I thank you not only on behalf of VITEMA, or the Government and People of the United States Virgin Islands, but also the United States of America.

Your work on the very important mission of providing professional, expert, and highly confidential support services to the Homeland Security Advisor of the United States Virgin Islands, for the visit of the Vice President of the United States of America, Joseph Biden, was exceptionally laudable. The task with which you were charged, I am certain would be a most memorable one, as you were charged with providing professional and highly confidential support services geared toward protecting the 47th Vice President of the United States of America. In your capacity as Aide to the Homeland Security Advisor of the United States Virgin Islands, you embraced the challenge at hand, no task too great and no task too small. I commend you for your professionalism, and in particular the hardiness and commitment that you have shown throughout this very auspicious event. For your outstanding service and support as a valued human resource to VITEMA you are hereby presented with the Director’s Coin. Keep up the good work and a job well done.”